Households, traders and poultry farmers in Ati face mounting challenges

The sharp increase in poultry prices has sent ripples through Ati’s local economy, leaving households struggling to afford basic necessities and forcing traders to adjust their operations. Within just months, prices for poultry products have skyrocketed, disrupting long-standing consumption patterns and straining the region’s food supply.

At the central market in Ati, once-bustling stalls now sit quieter than usual. Customers haggle over cages of chickens and Guinea fowl, often walking away empty-handed. Poultry prices have surged dramatically: chickens that once sold for 6,000 to 8,000 FCFA now fetch between 10,000 and 15,000 FCFA, depending on size and season. Smaller birds, once priced between 1,500 and 2,000 FCFA, now cost 3,500 to 6,000 FCFA. Guinea fowl and roosters have followed the same upward trend, particularly ahead of religious festivals and family gatherings when demand typically peaks.

Families cut back on protein amid rising costs

For many families, chicken has become a rare treat. This price surge comes at a time when the cost of living continues to climb, further squeezing household budgets. “We used to buy a chicken every week for the children. Now, it’s a luxury we can’t afford,” says Amina Mahamat, a mother of five, as she shops at the market. “We’ve had to switch to cheaper alternatives.”

With poultry—a key source of animal protein for many—becoming increasingly out of reach, families are shifting to less nutritious but more affordable food options, putting their health at risk.

Local traders struggle to keep up

For vendors, higher prices don’t translate into higher profits. Sales have dropped, and customers are buying less. “We raise prices, but our earnings don’t grow. People just stop buying,” explains Issa Hassan, a poultry seller with over a decade of experience. “We’re barely breaking even.”

Restaurants and grilled meat vendors are also feeling the pinch. To stay afloat, many have raised meal prices or reduced portion sizes, risking a loss of regular customers.

Poultry farmers grapple with rising production costs

While consumers complain about high prices, poultry farmers point to their own rising costs. Feed, veterinary supplies, and transportation prices have all climbed sharply. Add to that recurring challenges such as limited grazing land, water scarcity during dry seasons, and disease outbreaks that can wipe out entire flocks. “Our expenses keep rising every month,” says Abakar Abdoulaye, a poultry farmer near Ati. “We have to charge more just to stay in business—but profits are shrinking.”

A local economy under pressure

The impact extends beyond households and traders. The entire local economy is feeling the strain. Transporters, livestock feed suppliers, restaurateurs, and small shopkeepers all report slower business. Some estimates suggest poultry sales in local markets have dropped by 20 to 30% compared to the same period last year, though official data is still pending.

Economists warn that when consumer spending declines, the ripple effects can cripple an entire local economy, reducing household incomes and cutting into small businesses’ earnings.

Calls for urgent action grow louder

In response, local leaders and community members are urging authorities and development partners to step in and support the poultry sector. Proposed solutions include:

• Expanding access to affordable poultry feed;
• Strengthening veterinary services;
• Launching mass vaccination campaigns against avian diseases;
• Providing financing options for small-scale poultry farmers;
• Offering technical training to improve local production.

These measures could help boost poultry supply, stabilize prices, and strengthen food security across the Batha region.

A growing concern for public welfare

The surge in poultry prices in Ati highlights a broader challenge: the rising cost of living is pushing essential goods out of reach for many. Without sustainable solutions, this crisis risks deepening household poverty and stalling local economic growth.

For residents, the struggle to access balanced meals has become a daily reality—making price control for staple foods a top priority for both local and national leaders.